Definition

Clipping is the process whereby a word is truncated to one of its parts.

Fore-Clipping

Aphaeresis is where the front part is taken off (e.g. "parachute" -> "chute").

Middle-Clipping

Syncope is where the middle is left behind (e.g. "influenza" -> "flu").

Back-Clipping

Apocope is where the back is taken off. This is the most common. (e.g. "gasoline" -> "gas").

Complex Clipping

Sometimes clipping is done with compound words (i.e. clipping something out to go from two words to one). (e.g. "science fiction" -> "sci fi").

Example

• Mathematics -> Math
• Telephone -> Phone
• Influenza -> Flu
• Cable telegram -> Cablegram

Wikipedia on Clipping